Tag: Emil Ekiyor

Colts sign 15 undrafted rookie free agents

The Colts signed 15 undrafted rookie free agent Friday.

The Indianapolis Colts signed 15 undrafted rookie free agents following the 2023 NFL draft, the team announced Friday.

With a 12-player draft class and now 15 undrafted rookie free agents coming in, the Colts will have a massive 27-player rookie class during the spring workouts. The majority of them will likely participate in training camp as well.

Here are the 15 undrafted rookie free agents the Colts signed:

  • LB Liam Anderson, Holy Cross
  • WR Cody Chrest, Sam Houston State
  • CB Cole Coleman, Elon
  • OG Emil Ekiyor, Alabama
  • RB Darius Hagans, Virginia State
  • WR Johnny King, Southeast Missouri State
  • OG Harris Lachance, BYU
  • S Aaron Maddox, Campbell
  • LB Donavan Mutin, Houston
  • CB Tyler Richardson, Tiffin
  • DT Caleb Sampson, Kansas
  • WR Zavier Scott, Maine
  • RB Titus Swen, Wyoming
  • DE Guy Thomas, Colorado
  • WR Braxton Westfield, Carson-Newman

There will be a lot of competition up for grabs as the Colts prepare for training camp in a few months, and several of these names could be in play for the final spots at their respective positions.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

Colts sign Alabama G Emil Ekiyor as UDFA

Emil Ekiyor was a projected mid-round pick.

The Indianapolis Colts had plenty of value with their 12 selections in the 2023 NFL draft, but one of the biggest steals may have come in the form of undrafted guard Emil Ekiyor.

The Alabama product, who was a three-year starter at right guard, is expected to sign with the Colts as an undrafted free agent after surprisingly passing through all seven rounds without being selected. He was named a First-Team All-SEC player in 2022.

The Colts didn’t draft a guard prospect despite having 12 selections, which was a record high during Chris Ballard’s tenure. They did draft two offensive tackle prospects in BYU’s Blake Freeland and Northern Michigan’s Jake Witt, but neither is ready to start right away.

[lawrence-related id=83909,83900]

Ekiyor was projected to be a mid-round pick by several analysts. Here’s what Dane Brugler of The Athletic said about the Alabama product in his draft guide:

A three-year starter at Alabama, Ekiyor was a staple at right guard in former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s balanced offense. After an uneven junior season, he put above-average play on his 2022 tape (zero penalties) and separated himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC. As both a run blocker and pass protector, Ekiyor quickly establishes leverage with his low pads and upward blows, driving his feet through engagement with his stubborn hands. Though he plays with outstanding awareness and finish, he will get himself in trouble when he overextends, and savvy NFL defensive tackles will use his impatience against him. Overall, Ekiyor finds himself in compromised positions when his punch hands get off-schedule, but he moves well with the processing and core strength to be effective in multiple schemes. He has NFL starter talent with guard-center versatility. 

As it currently stands, Will Fries and Danny Pinter will be competing for the starting right guard role. The Colts could still add a veteran in free agency, but Ekiyor should find himself right in the thick of that competition.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

Former Alabama OL Emil Ekiyor signs with Indianapolis Colts

Emil Ekiyor signs with his hometown team Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.

With the 2023 NFL draft concluding, players who did not hear their names called will have an opportunity to sign with NFL franchises as undrafted free agents. Former Alabama offensive lineman, Emil Ekiyor, has signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

Ekiyor is the first undrafted former member of the Crimson Tide sign with a team. Others, such as Eli Ricks, DJ Dale, Jaylen Moody and Kendall Randolph were also not selected.

A 2018, four-star recruit out of Indianapolis, Ekiyor now gets an opportunity to play for his hometown team.

It will require persistence and a strong showing over the offseason, but Ekiyor does have a shot at making the active roster by the time the regular season rolls around.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Ekiyor and other former Alabama players beginning their NFL careers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[mm-video type=video id=01gz5h13fknp1y5n5gns playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz5h13fknp1y5n5gns/01gz5h13fknp1y5n5gns-d44aa1505c4c7e6fc74d87ef51974887.jpg]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Let the computers decide: A fully simulated 7-round mock draft

Who would the computers select for the Browns in the 2023 NFL draft?

Welcome to the day of the 2023 NFL draft! While the Cleveland Browns will not come on the clock until tomorrow night, they will have eight picks to play around with, including six in the middle rounds. We have completed mock draft after mock draft in preparation for the main event, so this time we let the computers decide.

Using PFF’s mock draft simulator, we let the picks just roll right through to see who the Browns would land in a fully simulated mock draft to fill the eight picks Cleveland has to their name.

And full disclaimer: it was ugly.

2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama OL Emil Ekiyor Jr.

A closer look at Emil Ekiyor’s profile ahead of the 2023 NFL draft!

On Thursday, April 27, the 2023 NFL draft will begin in Kansas City. As has been the case since [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] took over in Tuscaloosa, the Alabama Crimson Tide is expected to have more than its fair share of selections.

With the draft closing in, it is time to take a closer look at all of the potential draft selections that once wore the legendary crimson and white.

Alabama could have as many as 13 draft selections at the end of the month and from Bryce Young to DJ Dale we are going to profile each one of them.

Let’s take a look at the rock-solid Emil Ekiyor Jr. who had a long and productive career for the Crimson Tide.

1 iOL prospect for the Colts in each round of NFL draft

Taking a look at the best C/G prospects for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts are closing in on the 2023 NFL draft where they likely will use a number of their picks to address the offensive line.

One of the biggest needs that remain throughout the offseason is the interior offensive line. While Quenton Nelson holds down the left guard spot, center Ryan Kelly was the subject of trade rumors, and the right guard position currently doesn’t have a projected starter.

There are still some free agents the Colts could target for the right guard position, but we should expect them to dive heavily into the draft class next weekend.

For the purpose of covering both centers and guards, we proposed a “best prospect fit” for each position in each round.

Following this series of articles, we’ve also looked at these positions:

We’ll be tracking the Colts’ reported interest in the 2023 draft class so be sure to keep up with latest updates via our tracker.

Here’s a look at one guard and one center prospect who fit the Colts in each round of the draft:

Breaking down Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft for the Colts

Here’s who Dane Brugler had projected for the Colts.

With just over a week until the 2023 NFL draft, the mock drafts will be out in full force as analysts try to project what the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the league will do.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic dropped a seven-round mock draft Monday and while there were no trades involved at any level, he had the Colts hitting several areas of need.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the mock draft from the Colts’ perspective:

Lions 2023 draft: An offensive guard for every round

An offensive guard prospect for Detroit to consider in each round of the 2023 NFL draft

Up next in the draft series for 2023: the interior offensive linemen. The focus here is on guards, though some of the prospects listed across the draft rounds here might also fill in at center in a pinch.

The Lions are set in 2023 with Pro Bowl left guard Jonah Jackson and some combination of Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Graham Glasgow on the right side. They flank Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, the NFL’s highest-paid interior lineman. There is long-term uncertainty at both guard spots, however; Jackson is entering the final season of his rookie contract, while Big V and Glasgow are both coming off serious injuries and on expiring contracts. There is almost no depth with any experience outside of brief, underwhelming appearances from Kayode Awosika, Logan Stenberg and Ross Pierschbacher (the reserve center).

Signing Graham Glasgow gives the Lions options on the offensive line

Here is one interior offensive line prospect that fits the Lions from each round of the draft. Detroit doesn’t currently have any picks in the fourth or seventh rounds, but players from those ranges are included because trades happen all the time during the draft weekend.

Lions 2023 draft: A cornerback for every round

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, just one from each range, in an effort to show the relative level of talent that should be available in those rounds.

13 Alabama players invited to 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at the 13 Alabama players that were recently invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. The combine will last from Feb. 28-March 3.

The Alabama football program will be well-represented at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. 13 Alabama players will be present at the combine which is scheduled to last from Feb. 28 to March 3. The event will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nick Saban and his coaching staff work hard to develop players into better young men on and off the field. It has proven to work out for most as his former players have made it to the league or taken on other occupations outside of the football realm.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at the 13 players that received their invitation to participate in the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

Will Anderson named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the AP

Alabama’s Will Anderson has been selected as SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

For consecutive seasons Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

Anderson was also one of nine Crimson Tide players to be named on the AP’s first and second all-SEC teams.

Anderson put together another sensational season in Tuscaloosa accumulating 17 tackles and 10 sacks and one defensive touchdown off an interception.

Joining Anderson on the AP’s first team all-SEC were offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, defensive lineman Byron Young and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Quarterback Bryce Young, running back Jahmyr Gibbs (as a running back and all-purpose player), placekicker Will Reichard and defensive backs Jordan Battle and Brian Branch were selected as second-teamers.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.